Matt Glass returns to hometown hardcourt

After two seasons at UMass, Underhill product is ready for big role with Vermont

Oct. 24, 2010

Former two-time Free Press Mr. Basketball Matt Glass of Underhill is back in Vermont and could play a key role for the UVM men’s basketball team after spending his first two college seasons at Massachusetts. / JOSHUA LAMBERT, for the Free Press

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The last time Matt Glass played a game at Patrick Gymnasium, he cut down the nets after propelling Mount Mansfield Union High School to a state championship in 2005.

The next time he plays there, he will be an important member of the University of Vermont men’s basketball team.

“It’s been a long road back home,” said Glass, arguably the Catamount player most anxious for the season’s launch next month.

Transferring to UVM after playing two years at the University of Massachusetts, Glass’ career has come full circle. The 6-foot-8 junior is eligible to play games for the Catamounts after sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules.

In addition to guiding Mount Mansfield to Vermont Division I titles in 2004 and 2005, Glass was twice named the Burlington Free Press’ “Mr. Basketball,” a distinction given to the state’s top prep player.

The smooth-shooting, versatile forward will contribute to the rebuilding of a UVM program that lost four starters from last season’s America East championship team.

“We are excited to get him out there,” UVM coach Mike Lonergan said. “He will have to play a big role for us. Not just his shooting, which is probably his biggest strength, but we are also trying to encourage him to rebound, play defense and do a lot of other things.

“He’ll have a good opportunity here; hopefully he’ll make the most of it.”

A 1,000-point scorer and a nightly double-double threat at Mount Mansfield, Glass almost single handedly carried the Cougars in the 2005 title game, racking up 27 points and 14 rebounds in a 43-37 victory over Spaulding.

Lonergan said he was impressed with Glass’ high school career, but at the time he had no room for Glass in a frontcourt crowded by Marqus Blakely, Joe Trapani and Colin McIntosh.

After developing during a post-graduate year at Northfield Mount Hermon prep school, Glass averaged less than 10 minutes and three points a game in two seasons at UMass, an Atlantic 10 Conference member.

“This is a good situation for me as far as getting more playing time, maybe a little bigger role,” Glass said about his transfer to UVM. “I’m really excited about it.

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“He’s always been athletic and could hit the jumper,” Lonergan said, “but I think he’s a much better basketball player now than he was four years ago.

“He’s has a great personality, he’s definitely one of the leaders on the team, and he’s got a terrific attitude,” Lonergan added. “He’s fun to be around. He works hard but he likes to have fun. I like coaching guys like that.”

Lonergan said Glass’ specific duties will depend on the lineup. In the absence of center Ben Crenca, who likely will be sidelined until late December with a knee injury, Glass might be asked to play in the paint alongside Evan Fjeld. When Crenca returns, or should senior center Garrett Kissel emerge, Glass could find himself playing more at small forward.

“He can really shoot the ball and he’ll help clear things out on the inside for me,” Fjeld said.

“I’m going to be playing a little bit on the wing, a little bit under the basket,” Glass said. “I’ll try to stretch the defense out if they’ve got a bigger guy on me. Hopefully I can cause some matchup problems.”

With Glass, junior forward Pat Bergmann (Rice Memorial) and freshman walk-on Clancy Rugg (Burlington), the Catamounts have three Vermonters on the active roster for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

“That first game playing back in Patrick Gym in front of friends and family will be a special night for me,” Glass said.